Prowling Chicago’s alleys with Google

Prowling the alleys can be a great way to learn about a new neighborhood.

If a neighborhood’s alleys are strewn with trash and the garage doors and garbage receptacles are covered in gang graffiti, you might have second thoughts about moving there. You might be enamored of the idea of having a car repair shop or a flea market housed in the garage across the alley.

The coverage is spotty, but it appears that Google’s mobile cameras have traversed many miles of Chicago’s alleys. Street View in Google Maps is now serving up high-res alley views that you can expand to full screen size.

If you’re considering a move to an unfamiliar neighborhood, spend some time prowling the alleys with Google.